Resources
Learn about money at your own pace
Free lessons that go further than what we teach in class, based on the FDIC's Money Smart for Adults curriculum. Each lesson ends with a short quiz so you can check what you learned.
Welcome back
Lessons completed on this device: __DONE__ of __TOTAL__You completed every lesson. Well done!
How it works
- Read a short lesson Plain language, real examples, and new words explained.
- Check what you learned Answer a few questions and see why each answer is right.
- Keep going Follow the path topic by topic, or start with what you need today.
Your learning path
We suggest going in order, but you can start with any topic.
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Topic 1
Money Foundations: Plan, Track, and Save
Build a spending plan that works for real DC-area households, including uneven income and money sent to family, and start an emergency fund from zero.
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Start an Emergency Fund from Zero Completed
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Topic 2
Banking Basics: Accounts That Work for You
How to open an account (even without an SSN), compare banks, credit unions, apps, and check cashers, and send money abroad safely and cheaply.
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Topic 3
Paychecks and Personal Income Taxes
Understand your pay stub and withholding, handle taxes on gig and cash income, and file for free while claiming every credit you earned. Money Smart has no tax module, so this topic is mostly a Dollar Scholars extension.
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Read Your Pay Stub and Fill Out Your W-4 Completed
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Topic 4
Credit Reports and Credit Scores
Read your credit report and fix mistakes, build credit from nothing (including as a newcomer or ITIN holder), and learn what really moves your score.
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Read Your Credit Report and Fix Mistakes Completed
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Build Credit from Zero Completed
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Topic 5
Borrowing Wisely and Avoiding Predatory Loans
See the real price of a loan, recognize payday, title, rent-to-own, and other high-cost products, find safer options, and get a fair deal when you finance a car.
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Topic 6
Credit Cards and Managing Debt
Use a credit card without paying interest, build a payoff plan that works, and deal with debt collectors, court papers, and medical bills with confidence.
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Make a Plan to Pay Off Debt Completed
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Topic 7
Scam Awareness and Identity Protection
Recognize today's scams, especially those aimed at immigrants, renters, and job seekers. Protect your identity for free, and recover if it is stolen.
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Topic 8
Renting and Housing Choices
Rent with confidence in the DC area, and compare the real costs of renting and buying before you start the path to owning a home.
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Rent or Buy? Compare the Real Costs Completed
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Topic 9
Buying a Home and Getting a Mortgage
Prepare over 12 months, use local down payment help, compare loan offers, close safely, and know where to turn if you fall behind.
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Get Mortgage-Ready: A 12-Month Plan Completed
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Topic 10
Preparing for and Recovering from Financial Shocks
What to do in the first 30 days after income stops, and a family emergency plan for disasters, illness, and sudden changes.
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When Income Stops: Your First 30 Days Completed
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Your Family's Financial Emergency Plan Completed
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Prefer learning with a teacher?
Dollar Scholars classes are free. Bring your questions and learn with others.
See the class scheduleWant to test what you already know? Try our financial literacy quiz (a separate website)
About these lessons
These lessons are written by Dollar Scholars. They build on Money Smart for Adults, a free curriculum from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Dollar Scholars is not part of the FDIC, and the FDIC has not reviewed or endorsed these lessons.
The lessons are general financial education. They are not legal, tax, or financial advice for your situation.
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